Boarshurst Band Club’s journey back to brass gave us another enjoyable concert. This time with a brass band that was formed four years before last week’s band. As with last week’s concert, there was a welcome airing of one or two classic pieces. Though with half the number of solos as last week’s concert, a case of ‘quality not quantity’.
Continue reading “Ashton-under-Lyne Brass Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 10 October 2021”
Thursday 30th September 2021, 4.50 pm, five miles somewhere south east of Preston: after taking part in a nationwide talent competition, there were scenes of elation at a local community hall with a party of 15 people. Among the fifteen or so people were Stuart Vallantine, Kevin Phoenix, and Lorraine Chapman-Linnett – values-driven employees for Future Directions. With the Stronger Together Community Choir, they entered Championing Social Care‘s Care Sector’s Got Talent, a national talent competition.
Continue reading “Singing Our Way to Success with the Stronger Together Community Choir”
Yesterday’s first concert at Boarshurst Band Club since the first lockdown was most entertaining and cathartic in equal measure. In one respect, it was great to see a return to normality at The Brass Band Mecca of the North. On the other hand, it made us slightly bleary eyed over the friends we have lost in the brass band movement since the pandemic began.
Continue reading “The Diggle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (03 October 2021)”
For Oldham and Saddleworth bus users, there are very few changes of note. Besides three Stagecoach Manchester routes, there is welcome news for nocturnal ‘9 bus passengers.
Continue reading “Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, 05 September 2021”
Within a week of HM Government’s Freedom Day®, it will be business as usual for Oldham and Saddleworth bus users. As with our fellows in Tameside and Glossop, there will be usual summer times on Stagecoach’s routes, and the discontinuation of peak hour duplicates.
Continue reading “Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, 25 July 2021”
Almost a week after the abolition of COVID restrictions and social distancing measures, there will be further changes for Oldham’s bus passengers besides the usual service changes. From the 25th July 2021, a significant number of bus routes will see a change of stand position at Oldham Bus Station.
Continue reading “Oldham Bus Station Changes, 25 July 2021”
The days of the dead tree bus timetable could be numbered in years to come as smartphones and tablets become the norm for today’s passengers. Instead of rows and rows of bus timetables, passengers could scan a QR code for their desired service.
Continue reading “TfGM’s Paperless Bus Timetable Trials”
Since our original 2014 article, we have decided to create an updated version. In the last seven years, bus routes and operators have come and gone, and your author’s knowledge of the hills has improved since then.
Was it really seven years since we first wrote this piece? Back then, we had some great weather. Seven years on, the last month has seen some fantastic weather for picnicking or admiring rural views. Since the first COVID-19 lockdown, many people have taken to the hills instead of the shopping centres.
Continue reading “Run to the Hills 2021: A Go Cheapway Update”
For Oldham’s bus passengers, there is little to report in April’s changes compared with Tameside’s changes. Stagecoach’s mere tinkering around the edges only affects one route.
Continue reading “Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, 11 April 2021”
The pandemic has been disastrous for our hospitality industry. Pubs have been closed for over a year with some facing depubification. With Brexit in full swing and many countries off limits to Britons thanks to COVID-19, the British tourism industry have changed the definition of Stay At Home. Instead of taking that holiday in Portugal, Spain or Turkey, they have chosen to Big-Up Britain.
Continue reading “New Ski Resort Set to Bolster Tameside Tourism”
